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Skip Snow, left, and Theresa Walters, right, take a Burmese python out of its cage Thursday, May 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Python hunters bag 37 in hunting season

Number of pythons has exploded in past decade

Updated: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2009, 10:15 AM MST
Published : Tuesday, 03 Nov 2009, 10:14 AM MST

    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Expert snake hunters snared 37 pythons in South Florida during a trial hunting season to eradicate the invasive species.

    State wildlife officials granted 15 permits in July to snake experts. The program ended on Halloween but officials hope to start it again next year.

    Meanwhile, hunters are still allowed to kill the snakes in designated areas.

    The number of pythons in South Florida has exploded in the past decade to potentially tens of thousands. Scientists believe pet owners freed their snakes into the wild.

    They also think some Burmese pythons may have escaped in 1992 from pet shops battered by Hurricane Andrew and have been reproducing ever since.

    Copyright Associated Press, Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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